CHAPTER XII.
METAMORPHOSES.
Paschics literally sprang away from the doorway as Cyril asked the question; but a low voice speaking in Thracian from the darkness of the passage speedily allayed their alarm.
“Please stand as you were before,” it said, “so that if any one notices you they may not know that you are talking to me. I am Olga—you saw me on the stack with the others before my uncle came home—and my mother has sent me to warn the English gentleman. I am hiding behind the door, so that even if any of them come into the passage they will not see me; but you must speak very low, and keep your faces turned the other way.”
“Very well, mademoiselle. We are now arranged as you dictate,” said Cyril. “Pray proceed.”
“My grandfather and the rest are saying that there is something wrong about you, and they are going to tell the police to-morrow. My mother says that she cannot say what you may have done; but she doesn’t want any harm to come to the young lady or to the little boy with the pretty hair, and she advises you to get away in the night. The house-door is never locked, and she will oil the hinges to make it open easily; but she cannot do anything to the yard-gate, for it is always locked and barred, and takes two men to open it. You will have to escape over the wall; but our people all sleep soundly, so you will not wake them unless you make a great noise. The corner where there is a crooked tree close to the wall is the easiest place to climb.”
“Many thanks, mademoiselle. Your mother’s forethought is marvellous. Does her kindness extend to offering us any further assistance—in the way of disguise, for instance?”
“She says that she dares not sell you any of the men’s clothes, because they would be angry; but in the room where you will sleep there is a carved chest, with some clothes belonging to my eldest brother in it. He leaves them here because he is studying law at Bellaviste, and wears town clothes there. My mother cannot sell you his things, but——” an expressive pause.
“If you find the clothes gone in the morning, and some money in their place, you will not consider us thieves, nor think it necessary to inform your grandfather immediately of the exchange?” A giggle was the only answer, and Cyril went on, “Is there any possibility of our finding two suits in that chest, mademoiselle? for I fear we both need a change of attire.”
“Alas, no! There may not be even one complete suit, and there is certainly only one winter coat. You must apportion them as you can, gentlemen. The English gentleman needs the disguise most.” Another giggle, as the speaker evidently surveyed Cyril’s tourist suit and soft felt hat through the crack of the door.
“Mademoiselle, we lie under an unbounded obligation to your mother and yourself. Would it be possible for you to add to our load by conveying a message to the young lady or to her maid?”